Duncan and Spurs eye one more run to title (Southwest Division Betting Odds)

[duncan228]

Duncan and Spurs eye one more run to title (http://www.sbrforum.com/Betting+Articles/NBA/12369/duncan-spurs-eye-one-more-run-title.aspx)
By: Bob Harvey

San Antonio limped home with the division title last season before being slapped out of the playoffs in the opening round by Dallas. After adding veterans Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyes in the offseason, the Spurs hope to have enough support for their Big 3 and make one last run at the NBA Championship. In the end, it will still depend on the health and production of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.

San Antonio Spurs (Odds to win the division: 2/1)

Following a disappointing playoff run, The Spurs took some bold steps with the franchise and while they’re not using the term rebuild, they will admit to a serious “makeover.” San Antonio acquired three veteran players during the offseason knowing full well their window of opportunity to win another NBA championship is closing as Tim Duncan gets older.

By adding Richard Jefferson, Antono McDyess and Theo Ratliff, there is an infusion of quality veteran depth a sign that this time is built on winning now, not down the road. The pickup of those three players should help ease the burden on the likes of Duncan, Manu Ginoblli and Tony Parker but it’s ultimately going to fall on the Spurs' Big 3 to create enough offense.

First round exits are something the Spurs aren’t used to. The last time it happened was 2000 when Tim Duncan still had a lot of spring in his step. Now with the additional pieces in place, San Antonio expects to win it all. The usually humble Greg Popovich came right out and said he should be fired if they don't win it all, a true testament to how good of a roster this team has and how strongly pop feels about this year’s club.

Some NBA executives believe this team has everything they need and any other year they would be the clear-cut favorite. But sadly Spurs fans that’s not the case. San Antonio should repeat in the Southwest Division but that’s about it. Depending on how Duncan holds up I could foresee a Lakers/Spurs Western Conference final but that’s taking a real long shot.

Harvey’s take: San Antonio went 54-28 in winning the division. I expect a similar record and a second round playoff exit this season. But sorry, there will be no finals matchup with the Lakers.

Houston Rockets (10/1)

Houston’s season ended with a second round loss to the eventual world champion Lakers and Rockets fans I hope you enjoyed it because that’s as good as it’s gonna’ get for you in the foreseeable future. You my friends are staring at what promisies to be a long, cold winter where the victories will be scarce.

Yao Ming is out for the season with a leg injury. Ron Artest left as a free-agent to sign with Lakers and who knows what kind of contribution you’re going to get from the oft-injured Tracy McGrady. I’m sorry but Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza and Shane Battier are nice players but won’t make up for the losses of Yao and Artest. T-Mac remains the wild card.

Harvey’s Take: Last season the Rockets were 53-29 and beat Portland in the first-round of the playoffs. This year Houston will be lucky to go 41-41.

Dallas Mavericks (4/1)

Last season the Mavericks were sorely lacking in the depth department. So they spent this off season and more of Mark Cubans money, to pick up some quality back up players with good shooting skills to go along with a defensive edge. It sounds like they borrowed from the Spurs offseason playbook.

The Mavericks were an average defensive team a year ago so if you can’t stop them you better outscore them. With no reliable scorers other than Dirk Notwitzki and Jason Terry, Dallas added Shawn Marion as part of a four-team blockbuster deal. The Mavs other big off-season deal was to get Drew Gooden who is big and can score.

If it sounds like your reading the Spurs preview again, I can’t help it. Both of these teams are using the same plan which is build around your core players. In both cases It should translate into a 50-win season but no ring.

Harvey’s Take: Team Cuban was 50-32 last season and should finish with at least 50 victories this season. They’ll also flameout in the first or second round of the playoffs.

New Orleans Hornets (8/1)

Will Chris Paul and David West be enough to carry this Hornets squad onto the next level in the NBA? Paul has the star power, West has wicked game but both players ran out of gas during New Orleans embarrassing loss to Denver in the playoffs.

New Orleans did its fair share of wheeling and dealing. Tyson Chandler was sent to Charlotte for Emeka Okafor. The Hornets also saved money by offloading Rasual Butler and Antonio Daniels. Via the draft, they obtained UCLA’s Darren Collison to serve as Paul’s backup and picked up Marcus Thornton a potentially big scorer off the bench. Ike Diogu is another new face who will help in the scoring department but won’t help where this team will need the help the most and that’s in the “boardroom.” Pat Riley put it best, “No rebounds, no rings.”

Harvey’s Take: The Hornets went 49-33 last year and flamed out in the playoffs. If Chris Paul stays healthy the Bee’s should get 50 wins this season. However without a legitimate big man they will struggle again come post-season time.

Memphis Grizzlies (100/1)

Every division needs a floor mat and in the Southwest Division it’s the Grizzlies. As a lifelong Lakers fan, I’ll always feel a special bond with this team. It was the Grizzlies who gave us Pau Gasol in exchange for Kwame Brown. If it’s not the most lopsided trade in NBA history it’s right up there.

This year’s Grizzlies will be first team in the league to tank. Mark my words. By acquiring notable 'me first' guys like Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph during the offseason, this team has clinched the award for the team most likely to quit first this season. Good luck Grizzlies fan.

Harvey’s Take: A Gawd awful team. 24-58 last year and they’ll be no better this season.

[DPG21920]

WTF, Okafor is a legit bigman.

[Rummpd]

Spurs 58 and 24

Mavs 55 and 27

Hornets 53 and 29

Rockets 51 and 31 (they will still play hard every night)

Grizz 35 and 43 (some improvement but nothing to write home about)

[NoOptionB]

conf finals is a long shot :lmao

[TIMMYD!]

Fuck Bob Harvey.

[Rummpd]

As I posted on this linked site in response to the above trash by Mr. Harvey:
10/14/2009 8:32:10 PM


Are you serious -the reloaded Spurs as a long shot to even make the WCF - huh? With Blair and veteran additions they can play not only the best top 8 in the West (and that includes the Lakers who have a big hole at point guard and the volatile Artest) but in the league. There is no team out there that has a better title shot than the Spurs now period.

[barbacoataco]

I don't think the Spurs are gearing up "for one more title run." They will be just as good or better in 2011 when Finley, Bonner and Mason? leave and you have Splitter joining, Blair with one yr expr, Parker in his prime, Jefferson with a yr exp in the Spurs system and playing for a contract, Mahinmi? improved and Manu 1 yr removed from his surgery. The Spurs should be strong for the next 3 yrs.

[DynastySpurs210]

Fuck the Lakers!!!

[SouthTexasRancher]

Flush that piece of crap, Bob Harvery, down the toilet. Good for nothing POS...!!! :ihit

[redzero]

WTF, Okafor is a legit bigman.

Damn right. I don't know what Harvey was smoking.

[Obstructed_View]

WTF, Okafor is a legit bigman.

If nothing else, from a rebounding standpoint, but he's better than Chandler in every way.

[rayray2k8]

Who shit in Harvey's coffee this morning?

[xellos88330]

Harvey’s take: San Antonio went 54-28 in winning the division. I expect a similar record and a second round playoff exit this season. But sorry, there will be no finals matchup with the Lakers.

How the hell can the Spurs meet the Lakers in the Finals??? WCF maybe, but not the Finals.

Maybe he was lazy or something.

[Agloco]

This is trash. Who the hell does he think the Lakers will be meeting in the WCF then? The Nuggets?
:lol:lol:lol

[all_heart]

He's a fuckin Lakers homer, what else could he say?! Once the Spurs start clickin, we should win closer to 60 games this year, barring serious injuries there's no reason why we couldn't. Come post season it will come down to defense and matchups. We'll be much better in that regard and should take us much further into the post season.

[I. Hustle]

Switch Bob with Buck and it's pretty much the same.

[duncan228]

2009-2010 San Antonio Spurs Season Preview (http://www.predictem.com/nba/2009-san-antonio-spurs.php)
Predictem.com

Last Season's Record: 54-28
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Division: Southwest
Conference: Western

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Tony Parker 6-2
SG: Manu Ginobili 6-6
SF: Richard Jefferson 6-7
PF: DeJuan Blair 6-7
C: Tim Duncan 6-11

Key Reserves: Michael Finley 6-7 SG, George Hill 6-2 PG, Roger Mason 6-5 SG, Antonio McDyess 6-9 PF

Current 2010 NBA Championship Odds: 15-2 at Bodog Sportsbook (http://www.predictem.com/sportsbooks/bodog.php).

As long as Tim Duncan is still playing, the Spurs will always be a top contender in the NBA. In 12 seasons, Duncan has four NBA championships, and he will try to make it five this year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are still there to form one of the longest standing trios in the league. But now Richard Jefferson joins that core. The Lakers are the reigning NBA champions and the clear favorites in the Western Conference, but if any team can defeat them in a seven-game series, it's the Spurs.

Who's In/Who's Out

Jefferson was traded to the Spurs in the offseason. He replaces Bruce Bowen, who was traded and then retired. Jefferson isn't the same defensive stopper as Bowen, but he provides a lot more offense. Jefferson has a decent jump shot, but he is especially a good slasher. He can take his defender off the dribble and get to the basket. The Spurs got a steal in the second round of the NBA Draft with DeJuan Blair, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Pittsburgh. Blair is a strong big man with great rebounding ability and work ethic. Antonio McDyess was acquired in the offseason to give the Spurs depth in the frontcourt. McDyess is a 15th year veteran who played for the Pistons the last few years.

Backcourt

Parker is one of the top point guards in the league. He has three championships in eight years and is still only 27 years old. As long as he and Duncan are healthy, the Spurs will always be one of the top teams in the league. Parker and Ginobili form one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Both players can shoot from outside or drive to the basket. Michael Finley and Roger Mason give them two more veterans in the rotation. Mason came along last year and hit some big shots for the Spurs. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. George Hill was a rookie last year after being drafted by the Spurs in the first round. He is a solid floor leader who will see some time backing up Parker.

Frontcourt

Duncan, Blair and McDyess are the main big men for the Spurs. Either Blair or McDyess could start. It just depends whether Gregg Popovich wants to go with the rookie or the veteran. McDyess gives them more height and experience, but Blair gives them more strength and energy. Duncan may not be what he was five years ago, but he is still an elite big man in this league. He can dominate around the rim or he can step out and hit his patented 15-foot bank shot.

Strengths

The Spurs have as much experience as any team in the NBA. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have been in San Antonio almost as long as The Alamo. The three of them know how to play off of each other and are very difficult to defend. Having Popovich as their coach is also a strength for this team. He has been in San Antonio longer than Duncan. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Duncan can defend any big man in the league. Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson can defend any perimeter players.

Weaknesses
There is a good chance that at least a player or two on this team will have injury problems. That's just how it works with so many older players. It's good to have experienced veterans, but having an old roster can be a weakness. The Spurs already lack depth, so injuries could hurt their depth even further. They especially lack depth in the frontcourt, where Duncan, Blair and McDyess are their only solid big men.

Betting Odds and Projections

The Spurs are listed on Bodog with 15-2 odds to win the 2010 NBA Championship. If the Lakers don't come out of the West, the Spurs have as good of a chance as any team to get to the NBA Finals. But betting against the Lakers is tough to do. Even if the Spurs did get past the Lakers, the Cavs and Celtics would likely be favored over the Spurs. The key for the Spurs is staying healthy. If their key players are there for the whole season and are 100 percent in the playoffs, this team can go deep. They will likely win their division title and earn a top three seed, but figuring out how to defeat the Lakers will be a difficult task.

[TIMMYD!]

2009-2010 San Antonio Spurs Season Preview (http://www.predictem.com/nba/2009-san-antonio-spurs.php)
Predictem.com

Last Season's Record: 54-28
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Division: Southwest
Conference: Western

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Tony Parker 6-2
SG: Manu Ginobili 6-6
SF: Richard Jefferson 6-7
PF: DeJuan Blair 6-7
C: Tim Duncan 6-11

Key Reserves: Michael Finley 6-7 SG, George Hill 6-2 PG, Roger Mason 6-5 SG, Antonio McDyess 6-9 PF

Current 2010 NBA Championship Odds: 15-2 at Bodog Sportsbook (http://www.predictem.com/sportsbooks/bodog.php).

As long as Tim Duncan is still playing, the Spurs will always be a top contender in the NBA. In 12 seasons, Duncan has four NBA championships, and he will try to make it five this year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are still there to form one of the longest standing trios in the league. But now Richard Jefferson joins that core. The Lakers are the reigning NBA champions and the clear favorites in the Western Conference, but if any team can defeat them in a seven-game series, it's the Spurs.

Who's In/Who's Out

Jefferson was traded to the Spurs in the offseason. He replaces Bruce Bowen, who was traded and then retired. Jefferson isn't the same defensive stopper as Bowen, but he provides a lot more offense. Jefferson has a decent jump shot, but he is especially a good slasher. He can take his defender off the dribble and get to the basket. The Spurs got a steal in the second round of the NBA Draft with DeJuan Blair, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Pittsburgh. Blair is a strong big man with great rebounding ability and work ethic. Antonio McDyess was acquired in the offseason to give the Spurs depth in the frontcourt. McDyess is a 15th year veteran who played for the Pistons the last few years.

Backcourt

Parker is one of the top point guards in the league. He has three championships in eight years and is still only 27 years old. As long as he and Duncan are healthy, the Spurs will always be one of the top teams in the league. Parker and Ginobili form one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Both players can shoot from outside or drive to the basket. Michael Finley and Roger Mason give them two more veterans in the rotation. Mason came along last year and hit some big shots for the Spurs. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. George Hill was a rookie last year after being drafted by the Spurs in the first round. He is a solid floor leader who will see some time backing up Parker.

Frontcourt

Duncan, Blair and McDyess are the main big men for the Spurs. Either Blair or McDyess could start. It just depends whether Gregg Popovich wants to go with the rookie or the veteran. McDyess gives them more height and experience, but Blair gives them more strength and energy. Duncan may not be what he was five years ago, but he is still an elite big man in this league. He can dominate around the rim or he can step out and hit his patented 15-foot bank shot.

Strengths

The Spurs have as much experience as any team in the NBA. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have been in San Antonio almost as long as The Alamo. The three of them know how to play off of each other and are very difficult to defend. Having Popovich as their coach is also a strength for this team. He has been in San Antonio longer than Duncan. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Duncan can defend any big man in the league. Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson can defend any perimeter players.

Weaknesses
There is a good chance that at least a player or two on this team will have injury problems. That's just how it works with so many older players. It's good to have experienced veterans, but having an old roster can be a weakness. The Spurs already lack depth, so injuries could hurt their depth even further. They especially lack depth in the frontcourt, where Duncan, Blair and McDyess are their only solid big men.

Betting Odds and Projections

The Spurs are listed on Bodog with 15-2 odds to win the 2010 NBA Championship. If the Lakers don't come out of the West, the Spurs have as good of a chance as any team to get to the NBA Finals. But betting against the Lakers is tough to do. Even if the Spurs did get past the Lakers, the Cavs and Celtics would likely be favored over the Spurs. The key for the Spurs is staying healthy. If their key players are there for the whole season and are 100 percent in the playoffs, this team can go deep. They will likely win their division title and earn a top three seed, but figuring out how to defeat the Lakers will be a difficult task.

How do we fucking lack depth? this is the deepest we've been in years or maybe the decade

[Duncan2177]

Bob Harvey is crazy if he thinks the spurs are a long shot to make the confrence finals.

[Spursfan 87]

:hatSomebody has been smoking funny cigarettes

[Spursmania]

Damn Buck, I usually like your articles, but this one sucked.

[duncan228]

Damn Buck, I usually like your articles, but this one sucked.

It's not Buck Harvey, the article is from SportsBook Review.

[manu_maniac]

I don't want to read another word from Bob Harvey, ever. No depth? No chance at the WCF? This dude should be fired and replaced by someone here on ST.

[Spursmania]

It's not Buck Harvey, the article is from SportsBook Review.

lol...You're right Duncan228. Thanks for clarifying. Now my positive opinion of Buck Harvey is reinstated.:toast

[Tully365]

First round exits are something the Spurs aren’t used to. The last time it happened was 2000 when Tim Duncan still had a lot of spring in his step.

Tim Duncan didn't play in the 2000 playoffs, and he didn't have a lot of spring in his step either-- he was awaiting knee surgery for an injury that caused him to miss the final games of the regular season and all four of Spurs' postseason games that year.

[Manufan909]

This dude makes McDonald look alright... almost.

[21_Blessings]

Only one, eh? :bking

[duncan228]

Lakers Favorites to win 2009-2010 NBA Western Conference Odds (http://sports-odds.com/basketball/102009-lakers-favorites-to-win-2009-2010-nba-western-conference-odds.html)
by Abe Luciano

With the start of the 2009-2010 NBA Regular Season less than a week away, time to bet on what team will win the 2009-2010 NBA Western Conference is running out! Over the last few years, the Western Conference has been the most competitive and exciting of the two NBA Conferences and this year will be no different.

So who do you like this year? Does Kobe Bryant and his cast have what it takes to win their third consecutive Western Conference Odds title, or will someone step up and dethrone the champs? According to 2009-2010 NBA Western Conference Odds makers, the Los Angeles Lakers [5/6] will enter the season as the overwhelming sports betting odds favorites to go back-to-back-to-back and win the 2009-2010 NBA Western Conference Odds (http://www.sportsbetting.com/).

The team that is most likely to challenge the Lakers for the 2009-2010 Western Conference Odds is Gregg Popovich’s team. The San Antonio Spurs [3/1] have been given the second best sports betting odds to win the 2009-2010 Western Conference Odds (http://www.sportsbetting.com/) going into this season. But, how much of a chance do the invigorated Texans have against a revamped Lakers team?

After being accused of getting old, the Spurs went out and made some key additions to an already savvy veteran team. With the addition (SF) Richard Jefferson and free agent signee (SG) Keith Bogans, San Antonio is certain to challenge the Lakers defensively this season at the 2 and 3 positions. Furthermore, at the 1 position, Tony Parker’s speed and playmaking ability favors him against anyone Phil Jackson can put on the floor including a slower Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar.

But the biggest advantage for the Spurs against the Lakers will be on the inside. With (PF/C) Tim Duncan back to reclaim his spot as one of the best big men in the West, the Lakers will have problems matching up with the 4-time NBA champ. Andrew Bynum won’t be able to keep up with Duncan, so most likely Pau Gasol will be given that responsibility. Thus, the Spaniard’s energy and offensive productions might take a fall as a result.

The one advantage for LA then becomes last year’s X-factor, Lamar Odom. With a new contract and a new reality TV fame, Mr. Kardashian changes the game completely. His ability to handle the ball like point guard, his ability to rebound, and his pass first mentality fits in perfectly in a system where guys will have open shots.

It’s also going to be very interesting to see how the newest Laker, Ron Artest fairs in Purple and Gold. As we all know, when this guy’s head is in the right place, he becomes an unstoppable force which teams have a very difficult time dealing with. However, if Artest’s mind is elsewhere, he can destroy the chemistry of this rather young team, and perhaps even cost them the championship.

But if Artest comes in and becomes a model Angelino, the Western Conference belongs to the Lakers, as the Black Mamba will no longer have to worry about guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player on a nightly basis. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if KB24 still asks to carry that load. In either case, it's going to be another great race for the 2009-2010 NBA Western Conference Odds! Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers NOW!

[duncan228]

NBA 2009 Season Preview - Western Conference Rankings (http://www.betus.com/sports-betting/nba-basketball/articles/nba-2009-season-preview-western-conference-rankings/)
by Tim Furious
betus.com

The most important thing to realize about the Western Conference futures is that everyone is graded against the Lakers. The oddsmakers saying that the Thunder are +10000 to win isn’t saying that this team is bad, they’re just saying that they probably aren’t going to beat the Spurs or Lakers.

The West is a top-heavy Conference. Unlike the Eastern Conference, the West pretty much has three amazing teams, and then has 10 more teams that could make the playoffs or bust. Then they have the Kings and Grizzlies. Yeesh.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (-110 To Win Western Conference)
The Lakers were banking on Ron Artest being a potential distraction. It’s just that I’m not so sure if the locker room was ready for Lamar Odom to become a prima donna. Two of L.A’s top dogs are now eligible distractions, and the rest of the Western Conference has to hope that that the Lakers implode from the inside out. Honestly, that’s the only reason the Lakers would ever lose the Western Conference.

2. San Antonio Spurs (+450 To Win Western Conference)
I love the Spurs through and through, but Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli’s health terrifies the betting crap out of me. The Spurs were decimated against the betting line at home, and I’m not sure if Richard Jefferson is the kick in the pants they need to get over the hump after going 17-23-1 ATS at home. But if Duncan is healthy, this is perhaps the only team that can hold a candle to the Lakers in terms of talent.

3. Denver Nuggets (+600 To Win Western Conference)
How did Chauncey Billups react to J.R. Smith’s playoff explosion and subsequent off-court issues? He flew to Las Vegas to mentor the youngster. The Nuggets smashed the betting line, going 45-36-1 ATS last season, and needed a real leader to unify the talent of Kenyon Martin, The Birdman, Nene, Smith and Carmelo Anthony. They’ve got it now, and if any team is going to play with a chip on its shoulder this year, it’s the team that narrowly lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Championships.

4. New Orleans Hornets (+2500)
The most undersold trade in the offseason was Charlotte practically giving the Hornets center Emeka Okafor. Any team that has a definitive inside-outside presence at the point and center position has a chance to win, and the Hornets have the best point-guards (Chris Paul) with one of the best, young centers in the league. The rest of the team is a crapshoot, but I love their chances of being the outside shot this coming season.

5. Portland Trailblazers (+1000)
The Blazers’ main man is Brandon Roy, who is perhaps the best clutch shooter behind Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant. But this team still revolves around Greg Oden. Whenever Oden’s on the floor, the Blazers watch Oden as if he’s about to explode on the court. Instead, they watch him miss open field-goals and blow his defensive assignments. This guy has all the natural talent in the world, but unless he can realize it, the Blazers are stuck in Western Conference purgatory.

6. Utah Jazz (+1000)
There’s one thing I just don’t like about the Jazz – they don’t feel like a team. They play like one (i.e. they pass to each other), but the trade talk around Carlos Boozer, the weird treatment of Andrei Kirilenko and the lack of championships in Jerry Sloan’s cupboard make me seem that this team is missing an identity. Something’s really off about this team.

7. Houston Rockets (+1800)
They didn’t even try to keep Ron Artest, who was the unspoken leader of this team. Instead they let him saunter over to the rival Lakers and the Rockets signed Trevor Ariza, a guy who nobody thinks can take “the step”. That’s bad news for a team that will eventually lose Tracy McGrady, and replaced Yao Ming with…what do you mean they didn’t sign any credible centers?! No, Luis Scola can’t play center all season! He’s 6-foot-9!!! This isn’t high school basketball!!!

8. Oklahoma City Thunder (+10000)
Nobody thinks that the Thunder will upgrade from last year, where they went just 23-59 SU. But their betting investors know how good they are after they went 45-36-1 ATS. Kevin Durant is a top-5 player in the NBA (maybe top -3) and his supporting cast is only getting better. The West is a crapshoot with only three or four really good teams in the mix. You’re telling me that the Thunder aren’t that good when they have one of the best players in the entire league on their roster?

9. Dallas Mavericks (+1400)
On paper the Mavericks are pretty much exactly what they were last year, except with Shawn Marion. That says a lot about a team that only escaped the first round because the Spurs had two injured starters. Whenever a team’s biggest upgrade is a 6-foot-7 swingman who has averaged 15-7 his entire career and is playing for this fourth team in three years, you have to wonder why nobody bothered to hang on to him in the first place. That’s who the ringer for the Mavs is, and they weren’t that good to begin with.

10. Phoenix Suns (+4000)
The Suns were fortunate to retain the services of Steve Nash through 2010 in a rebuilding phase. Too bad their betting investors won’t be able to rely on them.

11. Los Angeles Clippers (+8000)
Outside of the Thunder, not starting roster looks more dangerous on paper as an underdog killer. Blake Griffin has rejuvenated and motivated Baron Davis, Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman. With Eric Gordon and Al Thornton getting better and Ricky Davis coming off the bench, the Clippers could be the biggest turnaround team in the league.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves (+10000)
Al Jefferson comes back, and Kevin Love breaks his hand. Great. Toss in the Ricky Rubio disaster, a rookie head coach and the overspending for Ramon Sessions and you have a veritable disaster in the making.

13. Golden State Warriors (+10000)
Steven Jackson is supposed to be holding this team together as its captain. Instead he’s ripping it apart with his whining.

14. Memphis Grizzlies (+10000)
Rudy Gay is one of the most underappreciated talents in the league, a trend that’s likely to continue when they drafted a college kid second overall who is tagged as “needs to improve…everything”. That’s Hasheem Thabeet in a nutshell.

15. Sacramento Kings (+15000)
Does anything about this team excite anyone? They won 17-games last year, covered the spread lost to the spread 44 times.